The Bay of Pigs: How Groupthink in Kennedy's White House Led to Disaster
In April 1961, just three months into his presidency, John F. Kennedy approved one of the most catastrophic military operations in U.S. history. 1,400 Cuban exiles, trained and equipped by the CIA, would invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. They would spark a popular uprising, overthrow Fidel Castro, and install a democratic government. That was the plan. The reality? The invasion failed within 72 hours. Most of the brigade was killed or captured. No uprising occurred. The U.S. was humiliated internationally. Castro’s regime was strengthened, not weakened. ...